Indigenous Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR)
Source: PIB
GS III: Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology
Overview
- News in Brief
- Indigenous Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR)
- Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI)
Why in the News?
In a historic milestone marking entry into the vital second stage of India’s three-stage nuclear program, the Prime Minister commenced Core Loading at India’s first indigenous Fast Breeder Reactor (500 MWe) at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu.
News in Brief
- Prime Minister took a tour of the Reactor Vault and the Control Room of the Reactor. He was briefed about the salient features of this reactor.
- Core loading is the first approach to achieving criticality, leading to the generation of power from the reactor.
- This marked India’s entry into the vital second stage of the country’s three-stage nuclear programme.
Indigenous Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR)
- India has developed comprehensive capabilities spanning the entire spectrum of the nuclear fuel cycle.
- The government had approved in 2003, the creation of Bhartiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Ltd (BHAVINI) to construct and operate India’s most advanced nuclear reactor-Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR).
- PFBR has been fully designed and constructed indigenously by BHAVINI with significant contributions from more than 200 Indian industries including MSMEs.
- Once commissioned, India will only be the second country after Russia to have a commercially operating Fast Breeder Reactor.
Technical Details
- Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) will initially use the Uranium-Plutonium Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel.
- The Uranium-238 blanket surrounding the fuel core will undergo nuclear transmutation to produce more fuel, thus earning the name Breeder.
- The use of Throium-232, which in itself is not a fissile material, as a blanket is also envisaged in this stage.
- By transmutation, Thorium will create fissile Uranium-233 which will be used as fuel in the third stage.
- FBR is thus a stepping stone for the third stage of the program paving the way for the eventual full utilization of India’s abundant thorium reserves.
- Safety
- PFBR is an advanced third-generation reactor with inherent passive safety features ensuring a prompt and safe shutdown of the plant in the event of an emergency.
- Nuclear Waste
- Since it uses the spent fuel from the first stage, FBR also offers a great advantage in terms of a significant reduction in nuclear waste generated, thereby avoiding the need for large geological disposal facilities.
Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI)
- It is a Government Company under the administrative control of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) incorporated on 22nd October 2003 as a Public Limited Company under the Companies Act, 1956.
- It aims to construct and commission the first 500 MWe Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) at Kalpakkam in Tamilnadu.
- To pursue construction, commissioning, operation and maintenance of subsequent Fast Breeder Reactors for the generation of electricity in pursuance of the schemes and programmes of the Government of India under the provisions of the Atomic Energy Act,1962.
Thorium-232
- Thorium-232 is the most abundant isotope of thorium, constituting nearly 100% of naturally occurring thorium.
- It is a fertile material, meaning it can be converted into a fissile material (uranium-233) through neutron absorption.
- Th-232 undergoes a series of radioactive decay processes, ultimately leading to the formation of stable lead-208.
- The half-life of Thorium-232 is approximately 14.05 billion years, making it relatively long-lived compared to other radioactive isotopes.
- One significant application of Thorium-232 is in the field of nuclear energy.
Uranium-233
- Uranium-233 is not naturally occurring; it is produced through the neutron irradiation of thorium-232.
- It has a half-life of approximately 160,000 years, making it suitable for use as a nuclear fuel.
- U-233 can undergo nuclear fission, releasing a large amount of energy in the process, which can be harnessed to generate electricity.
- It is considered a valuable alternative to uranium-235 and plutonium-239 as a nuclear fuel due to its abundance in thorium and potential for breeding in thorium fuel cycles.
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